The mother of missing backpacker Britt Lapthorne yesterday accused the Federal Government and Australian Federal Police of a lack of compassion. It was the first time Elke Lapthorne spoke to the media in detail about her daughter, who was last seen at a nightclub in Dubrovnik, Croatia, two weeks ago.

The mother of missing backpacker Britt Lapthorne yesterday accused the Federal Government and Australian Federal Police of a lack of compassion. It was the first time Elke Lapthorne spoke to the media in detail about her daughter, who was last seen at a nightclub in Dubrovnik, Croatia, two weeks ago.

England's Rio Ferdinand has launched a blistering attack on FIFA for failing to deal with racism in football, after Croatia was fined just 14,920 pounds ($38,491) for abuse aimed at England striker Emile Heskey in Zagreb.

Elke Lapthorne, right, is comforted by her sister Barbara as she speaks to the media at her Eden Park home north of Melbourne on October 8, 2008. Elke's daughter, Britt, has been missing in Croatia since September 17.